Mentally ill woman sent to shelter; Brother breaks down over separation

A mentally ill woman, who was allegedly subjected to sexual assault near Thudiyalur last week and rescued after stray dogs chased away the alleged attacker, was admitted to a mental health shelter in Karamadai for care and treatment.
Kavundampalayam MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh, who came to know about the incident, traced the woman’s relatives and, with their consent, arranged for her admission to Anbu Malar Mental Health Shelter in Karamadai.
The woman was allegedly targeted around 2 a.m. in the Ashokapuram NGO Colony area near Thudiyalur. Police said a 17-year-old boy, who was allegedly under the influence of a substance, attempted to sexually assault the woman while she was sitting alone on the roadside.
Stray dogs in the vicinity reportedly attacked and chased the boy away, protecting the woman.
Following the circulation of CCTV footage of the incident, Thudiyalur police arrested the 17-year-old boy from the nearby Ganesh Nagar area and produced him before the court. He was subsequently sent to a juvenile observation home.
During efforts to reunite the woman with her relatives, it was found that her younger brother also has mental health issues and that their mother was struggling to care for both of them.
With the assistance of Nithin, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Periyanaickenpalayam union secretary, arrangements were made to admit the woman to Anbu Malar Mental Health Shelter in Karamadai for continued care and treatment.
At the time of her admission, her younger brother broke down in tears and struggled to part with his sister. The emotional scene left those present deeply moved.